FY2025 Historic Preservation Fund- Save America's Treasures - Preservation Grants

The Save America’s Treasures Preservation Grants program is administered by the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior, with support from partner agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This program is funded through the Historic Preservation Fund and is designed to preserve and conserve nationally significant historic properties and collections across the United States. The initiative reflects a broader federal commitment to protecting cultural heritage, supporting skilled trades, and reinforcing national identity through historic preservation efforts. The primary purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance for the preservation and conservation of historic resources that are deemed nationally significant. Eligible projects must involve properties listed as National Historic Landmarks or included in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance. The program prioritizes projects that address urgent threats to these resources and that represent meaningful contributions to American history and heritage. Only one grant may be awarded per resource, and previously funded resources are not eligible for additional funding. Funding under this opportunity ranges from $125,000 to $750,000, with a total program funding pool of approximately $25.5 million and an estimated 55 awards. A strict dollar-for-dollar non-federal cost share is required, meaning applicants must provide at least 50 percent of the total project cost through non-federal sources. Matching funds may include cash, in-kind contributions, or volunteer services, and while they do not need to be secured at the time of application, a clear plan for obtaining them must be included. Administrative and indirect costs combined cannot exceed 25 percent of the total project cost. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as state, county, and local governments; federally recognized tribal governments and organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; and both public and private institutions of higher education. Certain federal agencies may also apply under specific conditions, particularly when collaborating with nonprofit partners. However, projects involving properties owned or leased by the National Park Service are not eligible for funding. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple mandatory forms such as SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and others depending on project type. Applicants must also submit a detailed project narrative addressing four evaluation criteria: national significance, severity of threat, mitigation of threat, and feasibility. Supporting materials include a project abstract, budget justification, financial statements, project images, and letters of support or owner consent where applicable. Registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov is required prior to submission, and applicants are encouraged to begin this process early due to potential delays. Applications are due by June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The review process includes eligibility screening followed by a merit-based evaluation using a 100-point scoring system across four equally weighted criteria. Awards are expected to be announced approximately six months after the application deadline, with project start dates anticipated around January 1, 2027, and completion by December 31, 2029. The program requires ongoing reporting and compliance with federal regulations, including historic preservation standards and environmental review processes. For questions, applicants may contact the program via email at STLPG@nps.gov or by phone at 202-354-2020. The program operates on an annual funding cycle, and applicants are encouraged to align their projects with national commemorative priorities such as the upcoming America250 celebration. Overall, the Save America’s Treasures program represents a significant federal investment in preserving the nation’s most important historic assets for future generations.

Ensure the project clearly demonstrates national significance and urgent threat; align scope directly with mitigation outcomes; provide a strong and realistic budget with secured or well-planned match; minimize administrative costs to improve competitiveness